Please enjoy the latest edition of our Newsletter!
RANCH REVIEW THE
MARCH/APRIL 2020
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SHOULD I PLAY OR TRAIN THIS SUMMER? Preston Chaudoin’s Case Study: From 75.9 mph to 92.5 mph in 2 Summers
This time of year, people call and email asking for our advice on whether they should train or play in the summer. This month,
I thought it would be beneficial to hear from someone who had that question a couple years ago and to see how their decision turned out. I hope we have an opportunity to see you this summer, but meanwhile, here’s more from Nate Chaudoin, Preston’s father. –Ron Wolforth Watching my son play middle school and summer baseball was a mixture of joy and confusion. Like many young players and parents, we became frustrated with coaches contradicting each other. Seeking someone we could trust, we found a former MLB pitcher offering lessons an hour from home. Meanwhile, after hearing about and researching Texas Baseball Ranch, I was torn over whether their services would be of value. Over a year later, we finally took the trip. I wish we had done it sooner. We had finally found what we needed. After three days, we left with a PLAN! Whether you need help with flexibility, mobility, strength, mindset, nutrition, or movement patterns, TBR covers it all. They helped Preston develop so much in a few months. I had no doubt that he should attend the summer program. His first summer was better than we expected. The culture and training environment are unmatched, and it was reinforced each morning and afternoon. At 5 feet, 4 inches and 120 pounds, my 14-year-old kid left on day one
having ZERO doubt he would throw 90 mph. He did exactly that the following summer at TBR as a 5-foot-7-inch, 140-pound, 15-year-old young man. Not only that, but he also left each summer a better person. If you are torn between summer travel ball and showcases versus development at Texas Baseball Ranch, don’t let a year go by like I did. If your son has a desire to improve and work hard to achieve his goals and if you are willing to support him in his efforts, then the TBR’s Summer Development Program is the place for you. –Nate Chaudoin
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Where You Can DREAM as BIG as Your Work Ethic Will Allow! PHONE (936) 588-6762
PROGRAM UPDATES
In order to limit the number of parents and athletes attending our Elite Pitchers Boot Camps, we are currently reducing the camp enrollment from 45 athletes to 24 athletes. This change will stay in effect until the group meeting recommendations/guidelines have been updated. Second, due to the fact all college baseball seasons have been called off for the remainder of spring, we are adding an ADVANCED COLLEGE TRAINING SESSION April 17–19. Please contact us for details. It will be limited to 32 athletes. (At this time, parents will not be allowed. We appreciate your understanding. We’re sure you understand that, at this time, we must limit the number of people at our facility.) Third, we have added RANCH REMOTE TRAINING for people who would still like to get access to and instruction from the TBR staff but prefer to avoid travel due to concerns about the current virus. This training is personalized, and you will work directly with one of the TBR coaches. We’re here to help keep you on track with your baseball training during this uncertain time. For questions or information on any of these programs, please call the Ranch office at (936) 588-6762 or email info@TexasBaseballRanch.com.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly every facet of our society. In short, the world is a very different place today than it was on Jan. 1, 2020, and that includes the Texas Baseball Ranch ® .
Program Highlights
So, we wanted to provide you some updates. As of this writing, we are moving forward with our Extended Stay Summer Development Program and Elite Pitchers Boot Camps as scheduled. However, there are a couple of important updates we’d like to share about
these and some additional TBR programs.
First, we are loosening up our cancellation/change policy, so you can be more comfortable in making plans now in the face of the current uncertainty. You can cancel up to one week prior to your scheduled event and receive a full refund. In addition, there are no change fees if you make a change at any time prior to your scheduled event.
SWITCH IT UP The Family Feud You Want to Be a Part Of
POKEMON The Pokemon franchise has lasted for over two decades and continues to be a source of entertainment for people of all ages. With Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, players can take on trainers, face gym leaders, or even play with other Pokemon trainers throughout the Galar region. Both games are capable of online connectivity to other real-world players, letting trainers battle and trade globally. SPLATOON 2 This game offers a fun and colorful twist on a typical shooter game. Up to eight players can battle it out with one another and attempt to paint the other players with their own colors. Splatoon 2 can also be played online, making it a great family game. No matter how far away you are from one another, you can always play Splatoon 2 together for as long as you’d like. Video games are a great source of entertainment and relaxation, but it’s important not to overdo it. Remember to take small breaks to stretch, get something to eat, and head outside for some fresh air.
As one of the most popular gaming consoles, the Nintendo Switch draws the attention of gamers and nongamers alike. It offers hundreds of games for people of all different ages and preferences. If you’re thinking about adding to your family’s game collection, take a look at these five family-friendly options everyone can enjoy. SUPER MARIO PARTY AND MARIO KART 8 DELUXE If you’re looking for fun multiplayer games, look no further. Super Mario Party and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe allow up to eight players to get together and play against each other, giving people the chance to race, fight, and compete in a friendly atmosphere. The games offer a number of terrains and game boards to play through, each with unique challenges for players to overcome. SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE There’s nothing like grabbing a group of friends to fight it out with your favorite video game characters. The Smash Bros. games have been around since 1999, making it possible for Link to fight head- on with Mario or Samus Aran to take on Fox McCloud. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you can choose your favorite Nintendo, Sega, or Square Enix characters and see who comes out on top!
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THE TRUTH ABOUT YEAR-ROUND BASEBALL How to Develop Skills and Avoid Burnout
One of the most common missteps parents make is believing that the key to their child’s successful development is making them play as many games as they can during every season of every year. But I always tell parents to think about it this way:
There’s a significant difference between practice and
performance in the world of baseball. Practice paves way for development through large amounts of deliberate and purposeful training, while performance is the execution of a skill set in a very specific setting. When it comes to playing baseball year-round, it’s important to understand why these differences are important and how they can affect young players.
View a game as a quiz or a test. School wouldn’t be very productive if students just took tests every day with minimal lessons in between, would it? Taking tests doesn’t make you a better student — learning what you can and practicing for those tests does. The same goes for baseball training versus playing in games. Training is much more effective for becoming skillful than playing in games. While I highly encourage young baseball players to train in a variety of ways throughout the year, they shouldn’t be forced to play in competitive games during the entire year. Not only is it not the most effective way for them to improve, but it also runs the risk of burning them out on the sport. So change it up and even let them explore other sports and train their bodies in a variety of ways. You’ll be surprised how useful it can be to their baseball skills in the long run.
It’s certainly possible to play baseball year-round and still develop both physically and
mentally. It’s also possible to keep training fresh in order to avoid the burnout that can come with repeated practices. But when it comes to playing games year-round, I often caution parents against thinking “more is better.”
UPCOMING RANCH EVENTS ADVANCED COLLEGE BOOT CAMP: April 17–19
THIS MONTH IN BASEBALL HISTORY Hank Aaron’s Hailed Homer
Babe Ruth retired in 1935 sitting on a mind-boggling 714 home runs. It seemed like an unbreakable record. For decades, no one came close. But that started to change in the 1970s. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron finally did the unthinkable. Aaron finished his 1973 season playing for the Atlanta Braves with a career 713 homers, leaving everyone to wait on the edge of their seats through winter until the new season in the spring of 1974.
ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMPS: June 5–7 July 17–19 June 19–21 Aug. 7–9 July 3–5 Sept. 5–7
SUMMER PROGRAM: Session 1 begins June 1 Session 2 begins June 29 Session 3 begins Aug. 3
For more information, go to TexasBaseballRanch.com/events.
On Opening Day, Aaron hit number 714. And when the Braves returned to Atlanta for their home opener against the Dodgers, he didn’t make fans wait much longer. In the fourth inning, Aaron blasted a shot to left field, where it cleared the fence for home run number 715. He broke Babe Ruth’s 39-year record, and the celebration that ensued was well deserved by players and fans alike.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR OATES SPECIALTIES! EQUIPMENT PROVIDER,
www.OatesSpecialties. com/Durathro
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(936) 588-6762 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE 1 From 75.9 mph to 92.5 mph in 2 Summers PAGE 2
Program Updates Switch Up Family Game Night PAGE 2 How to Foster Development Year-Round PAGE4 Meditation and Pain Relief
The Benefits of Meditation PRACTICE PAIN RELIEF
factors, leading scientists to study how mental exercises like meditation can aid in pain relief.
Meditation has different meanings for different people. Traditionally, the act of focusing one’s mind has been used in religious and spiritual practices around the globe. More recently, it’s become a popular method of relaxation. Now, new research shows that this ancient practice may have yet another benefit: pain management. In 2008, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey found that over 100 million adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain due to conditions like arthritis and debilitating injuries. Because of this, care providers have become focused on finding ways to help patients manage these persistent aches. The sensation of pain is caused by a complex interaction of biological and cognitive
Anecdotal evidence regarding meditation’s ability to reduce pain has existed for as long as the practice itself. However, modern technology has given researchers the means to accurately measure the effectiveness of this age-old tradition. The Department of Health and Human Services has cited MRI brain scans as proof that meditation can lead to moderate pain reduction. These scans revealed that the same
areas of the brain stimulated by painkillers are activated when the mind is in a meditative state. This supports the accounts of those who have reported better functionality after meditative sessions. With the ongoing tragedy of the opioid crisis, there is a dire need for pain management strategies that are noninvasive and not habit-forming, such as physical therapy. Meditation is easily accessible and can be used in conjunction with other pain relief strategies. Whether you sign up for guided meditation sessions, download one of the many mindfulness apps on the market today, or simply make time to sit and clear your mind for 30 minutes, it’s easy to add meditation to your normal routine.
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